THE source for news of bluegrass and old-time music events in Ireland - and more

30 November 2005

Snakes in Galway

THE SNAKES!

The Snakes formed in early 2006; four outstanding musicians and writers who capture the true essence of country rock 'n' roll with raw grit and rare authenticity, inspired by pioneers such as Gram Parsons, the Flying Buritto Brothers, Steve Earle, and the Byrds, as well as the many nights spent propping up the bars in honky-tonks from Austin, Texas, to London. The Snakes dig deep into the heart of the music. Their live performances are brimming with passion, authority, and hard-hitting grooves that pull the listeners onto the dancefloor, leaving them in no doubt that they are experiencing the real thing!

THE MEMBERS

PETE LAMB Guitar/ vocalsPete Lamb moved to Ireland in May 2004 to pursue his goal and concentrate on making music. His mystical musical journey thus far has zig-zagged through several disparate genres and fields; making pop and rock with various garage bands, making and DJing leftfield dance music, and playing acoustic bluegrass guitar before arriving finally at country rock 'n' roll with the Snakes! Since arriving in Galway he has built a solid performing reputation as a singer and songwriter with various projects.

DARREN ROBERTS Bass/vocalsDarren Roberts was also based in London and spent six years touring and recording as bass player with psychedelic rock group One Thousand Violins, gaining independent chart success, and playing to large audiences across Europe as well as recording Radio 1 sessions for John Peel and Janice Long. After leaving One Thousand Violins he moved to London, where he became a session bass player working in recording studios as well as for radio and TV. He subsequently got into country and folk music, which led him to work in places such as Nashville, Tennessee, and Austin, Texas, and eventually to a recording session in Ireland, which became his home.

ROB STEIN Pedal steel and lead guitarBorn in Northern California, raised on Long Island, New York, Rob Stein spent many years playing guitear and pedal steel on the thriving Austin, Texas, music scene before moving to New York, where he worked with everyone from Broadway show orchestras to the Bob Dylan band, as well as being the mainstay in the legendary Tommy-Joe White Band. Since moving to Ireland in 1999 he has worked with many top traditional musicians, as well as the Maimin Cajun Band, Brendan Hearty, and the Snakes.

CORMAC DUNNE DrumsCormac Dunne was the drummer with successful Irish band the Stunning. The band had two No. 1 albums in Ireland. He has played on albums by Ruth Dillon and Australian singer/songwriter Ronnie Taheny amongst others, most recently on Roesy's album Colour me colourful, with whom he also currently tours.